UCLA Football: Is it time to panic after San Diego State letdown?

UCLA football fell to 0-2 in 2019, losing for the second straight week against a Group of Five opponent. What should we take away from the latest Bruins loss?

Playing on their home turf in Pasadena, UCLA was favored by more than a touchdown against San Diego State. That was despite the Bruins going to Nippert Stadium in Week 1 and falling by double digits against Cincinnati. With the Aztecs looking to challenge for the Mountain West crown this season, it was a dangerously-high line for the Vegas sharps to put out to the betting world.

San Diego State made a joke of the point spread, taking down the Bruins 23-14 to move to 2-0 on the season. The win gives Rocky Long’s squad a statement win against a Power Five opponent — though, at this point, it is entirely fair to ask whether UCLA counts as a statement victory or merely one that should be expected of Group of Five contenders at this point.

Joshua Kelley was back on the field for the Bruins, but he could manage only 53 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against an Aztecs defense. It was actually a solid performance against a San Diego State defensive front that allowed only 62 total yards to UCLA on 32 rushing attempts.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson had another marginal day at quarterback in Pasadena, finishing with 199 yards and a touchdown on 24-of-35 passing. But Thompson-Robinson also coughed up a fumble and was sacked twice by the Aztecs, negating much of what he was able to do through the air. The Bruins quarterback was outdueled by his Aztecs counterpart, Ryan Agnew, who wrapped up the day with 293 yards and a touchdown on 23-of-31 passing.

Agnew’s contribution was once again necessary, as San Diego State continues to struggle with rushing the football. The team that developed Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny found themselves unable to get to 100 yards as a team, finishing the day with 80 combined rushing yards and a short Chase Jasmin touchdown on 47 grueling carries.

San Diego State’s next game, against New Mexico State, offers a last intersectional opportunity before the Aztecs turn their focus to conference play in the Mountain West. UCLA, on the other hand, must dust itself off and prepare for a date next week with top-five Oklahoma.

At this point, getting to a bowl game is going to be an uphill slog for the Bruins. It remains to be seen how soon the seat starts heating up under Chip Kelly if the Bruins continue to lose and miss out on the postseason again.